Torbay

Housing tenure in Torbay changed substantially in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in health and marriage.

The population passed 130,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Torbay increased by 1.0%, from almost 130,000 to 131,000.

The addition of almost 1,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Torbay was home to, on average, 15 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Torbay

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Torbay increased by two years, from 44 to 46 years.

This seaside area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 4,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 14% of people in Torbay are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Torbay by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in considerably limiting disability

Torbay saw England's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

During this period, Torbay overtook 23 local authority areas, including Doncaster and Wirral, to become the English local authority area with the eighth-highest percentage of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 1 in 19 (5.3%) in Torbay reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.1% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 6.7% to 7.0%.

England's largest increase in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability occurred in Tendring (from 4.0% to 5.3%).

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability in Torbay increased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Torbay, the South West and England that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

Torbay saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

During this period, Torbay overtook 17 local authority areas, including Doncaster and Wirral, to become the English local authority area with the sixth-highest percentage of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

In 2011, just over 1 in 30 (3.6%) in Torbay reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.8% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.3% to 1.8%.

England's largest increase in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care occurred in East Lindsey (from 3.3% to 4.1%) followed by Rother (from 2.2% to 3.0%).

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Torbay remained close to 3.6%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Torbay by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The rate of self-employment increased in Torbay, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West, except Isles of Scilly.

Across the South West, the proportion of self-employed people increased from 10.0% to 11% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in South Hams (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Torbay) increased from 15% to 17%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Torbay that rented privately increased from 16% to 23% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 8.1%, while the percentage of Torbay households that owned their home decreased from 73% to 67%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Torbay increased by 6.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Torbay, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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